Washing machine



Nov. 8, 1960 R. A. FISHER 2,959,403

WASHING MACHINE [6 Filed March 9, 1959 IN V EN TOR.

United States Patent WASHING MACHINE Richard A. Fisher, Minneapolis,Minn., assignor to Anderson Machine and Tool Works, Inc., Chaska, Minn.,a corporation of Minnesota Filed Mar. 9, 1959, Ser. No. 798,067

Claims. (Cl. 259-75) This invention relates to a device for use inwashing or cleaning and more particularly to a means for impartingagitation to a removable container in which washing fluid and elementsto be cleaned are disposed.

In general, the invention is addressed to a device of the type describedwhich embodies a platform mounted for reciprocating movement and whichis adapted to support a pail or the like to which reciprocating movementis imparted by the platform support to achieve agitation of thematerials contained therein. Means are provided to control thereciprocal movement of the platform in a manner to permit processing ofdelicate material, such as in the washing of eggs and the like and whichembodies features in the actuation of the platform to minimize wear; toprotect the elements of the device from corrosion or attack by any ofthe materials being processed; which provides for a desirable balance ofload to prevent spilling; which minimizes the need for maintenance, careor lubrication and which is adapted for use in various type of cleaningoperations or otherprocessing steps.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention willhereinafter appear and, for purposes of illustration, but not oflimitation, an embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanyingdrawing, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the cleaningmachine being used to wash eggs;

Figure 2 is a view of the inner surface of the platform of the cleaningmachine, showing the nylon bearings and parts of the motive mechanismsecured to it;

Figure 3 is a sectional elevational view of a portion of the cleaningmachine; and

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the cleaningmachine, showing the bearings secured to the platform riding on the rimof the machine housing.

Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawing, a cleaning machine indicatedgenerally by the reference numeral comprises a driving mechanismindicated generally by the reference numeral 12. A container 14 ismounted on this mechanism. As seen in the drawing, the container in thisparticular embodiment is filled with eggs 16 to be washed, but it isapparent that the container could be filled with other objects and theclaims should be construed accordingly. Additionally, the container 14may have a heat source built inside which is connected to power line 18,for regulation of the temperature of the container and its contents.

The driving mechanism 12 comprises an all-steel onepiece dish-likehousing 20 which is substantially circular in cross-section. As seen inFigure 3, the housing includes a base member 22 with an integral,upwardly extending, peripheral flange 24. This upwardly extending,peripheral flange terminates in an arcuate outwardly bent flange or rim26, and in this particular embodiment the flange or rim is shaped like aquarter of a circle, see Figure 4. This shape is advantageous for manyreasons, and in particular from a production standpoint, but as willbecome apparent below, under certain circumstances, other shapes may beuseful and the claims should be construed accordingly.

The central portion of base 22 is provided with a recess 28. An opening30 extends through the base communicating with this recess. The lowerend 32 of a retaining shaft 34 is mounted in this opening by anyconventional means. The upper end 36 of the retaining shaft extendsthrough an opening 38 in the central recessed portion of a support plate40, and is held in this opening by any conventional means, not shown,see Figures 2 and 3. This holds the support plate on the housing, andsupport plate 40 and the retaining shaft 34 are connected to each otherand to housing 20 in such a way that support plate 40 can rotate on theaxis of the retaining shaft.

As seen in Figure 2, the support plate 40 includes a disk-shaped centralportion 42 and a downwardly ex tending, peripheral flange 44, seeFigures 3 and 4. Three uniformly angularly spaced tabs or bearingflanges 46 are cut from the central portion 42 of support plate 40 andare bent parallel to the peripheral flange 44 in inwardly radiallyspaced relation thereto, see Figure 4, but as will become apparentbelow, greater load requirements may require a larger number of thesebearing flanges to be formed, and the claims should be construedaccordingly. The opposite ends of shafts 48 are mounted in openings 49in peripheral flange 44 and openings 51 in each of the bearing flanges46 so the shafts are supported between them. As seen, the shafts aredesigned to rotatably support roller bearings 50, and the shafts may belocked in openings 49 and 51 by means of a conventional Tinnerman-typeclip 52.

As seen in Figure 4, each roller bearing 50 has the shape of a surfaceof revolution formed in part by revolving a curve shaped like flange 26around an axis of revolution. Each roller bearing is formed from moldednylon, for its self-lubricating shock-absorbing properties, and isprovided with an axial bore 54 through which shaft 48 extends. As seen,there are three uniformly angularly spaced roller bearings secured tosupport plate 40 to provide a stable three-point support for the supportplate 40, although as explained above, additional roller bearings may benecessary to support heavier loads, and the claims should be construedaccordingly. When the support plate 40 is secured to the retaining shaft34 as described above, the roller bearings ride on the flange or rim 26.This rim or flange, in addition to strengthening the housing, alsoserves as an annular track for the roller bearings, so that the supportplate 40 can rotate freely on the axis of housing 20.

A platform 56, formed from some plastic moistureproof, resilientmaterial, includes a disk-shaped container support surface 58 and adownwardly extending peripheral flange 60. The platform is positionedover the support plate 40, as shown in Figure 4, and is shaped so thatflange 60 resiliently engages flange 44. This securely holds theplatform in place on the support plate 40 and provides a continuoussupport surface for the container 14. This is important because itprevents cleaning flu-id, such as a detergent and water mixture whichmay be accidentally spilled on the surface of the platform, frompenetrating to the interior of the housing and corroding the mechanismthere. Additionally, support surface 58 is provided with formations orgrooves 62 to prevent the container from sliding thereon, as will becomeapparent below.

An electric motor 64 is mounted in housing 20 by any conventional means,and this motor is connected to a speed-reducing gear system 66, seeFigure 3. A horizontally extending arm 68 is secured to the upwardlyextending output shaft 70 of the speed-reducing gear system.

A horizontally disposed roller wheel 72 is rotatably mounted on the topsurface of the end of arm 68 so that operation of motor 64 causes theroller wheel 72 to move in a circle around the axis of shaft 70.

As seen in Figure 2, spaced parallel radially extending guide bars 74and 76 are mounted on the inner surface of support plate 40 with theirroller wheel bearing surfaces 78 and 80 facing each other. Theseparation of these surfaces is substantially equal to the diameter ofthe roller wheel 72, and as seen, the support plate is mounted inhousing so the roller wheel 72 is positioned between these guide bars.

With this arrangement, operation of motor 64 which causes the rollerwheel 72 to move in a circle, first causes the roller wheel to ride onone of the roller bearing surfaces, surface 78, for example. This causesthe wheel 72 to exert a force thereon which is transmitted to thesupport plate 40 and platform 56, causing the support plate and platformto rotate on the roller bearings 50 in one direction. Then, as theroller wheel 72 continues to move along its circular path, it eventuallymoves so it rides on roller wheel bearing surface 80, exerting a forcethereon which causes the support plate 40 and the platform 56 to rotatein the opposite direction. Continued operation of the motor produces,therefore, an oscillatory motion of the support plate 40 and platform56.

In operation, a container filled with a cleaning solution and objects tobe washed, is mounted on platform 56. This oscillatory motion producesan agitation of the liquid in the container which is suflicient to cleanthe objects therein. To prevent creep caused by this oscillatory motion,downwardly extending bosses 82 are formed on the base 22 of the housing20. These bosses are covered with rubber tips 84 to increase thefriction between the housing 20 and any supporting surface.

As seen in the drawings, the diameter of the housing 20 is large incomparison to its height. This is important because it results in a lowcenter of gravity which eliminates tipping and promotes stability.

In addition, the nylon bearings have been made oversize. This isimportant, because in addition to their function of permitting thesupport plate 40 and platform 56 to rotate freely on the rim of housing20, when heavily loaded containers are on the platform, they reducebearing wear, insuring a long, trouble-free life. Furthermore, thesenylon bearings function additionally as shock absorbers and helpinsulate the motor 64 and its associated mechanism from shocks caused bycarelessly placing heavy containers on the platform. The distribution ofthese bearings is also very important because the economical stable,three-point support for the platform which they provide is sufircient toproperly balance the weight of the container and its contents on theplatform, and this further reduces bearing wear and power requirements.In addition, the shape and position of these nylon bearings helps tokeep the supporting plate 40 and platform 56 properly centered on thehousing.

The invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from thespirit or essential characteristics thereof as set forth in the claims,and the present embodiment is therefore to be considered as illustrativeand not restrictive, and it is intended to include all changes whichcome within the scope and range of the claims.

1. A machine of the class described comprising a housing, said housingbeing substantially circular in crosssection and including a base memberand an upwardly extending flange secured to the periphery of the basemember, said flange terminating in an annular track, a platform havingroller bearings secured thereto, said platform being mounted on saidhousing with said roller bearings rotatably mounted on said trackwhereby said platform can rotate on said housing, motive means withinsaid housing and connected to said platform for causing a rotatableoscillation of said platform on said housing, an upwardly extendingretainer shaft centrally mounted on said base member, a support platesecured to the upper end of said shaft, a downwardly extendingperipheral flange formed on the periphery of said support plate, atleast three uniformly angularly spaced, downwardly extending bearingflanges positioned in inwardly radially spaced relation to saidperipheral flange, said roller bearings rotatably mounted between theperipheral flange and each bearing flange, said platform covering saidsupport plate and said retaining shaft to provide a continuous containersupport surface and thereby prevent liquid spilled on said platform frompenetrating said housing and corroding said motive means.

2. A machine of the class described comprising a housing, said housingbeing substantially circular in crosssection and including a base memberand an upwardly extending flange secured to the periphery of the basemember, said flange terminating in an annular track, a platform havingroller bearings secured thereto, said platform being mounted on saidhousing with said roller bearings rotatably mounted on said trackwhereby said platform can rotate on said housing, motive means withinsaid housing and connected to said platform for causing a rotatableoscillation of said platform on said housing, said annular trackcomprising an arcuately bent flange formed on the upper edge of saidupwardly extending flange so that the arcuately bent fiange additionallystrengthens the housing.

3. The apparatus described in claim 2 wherein said roller bearings havethe shape of a surface of revolution formed in part by revolving a curveshaped like said arcuately bent flange around an axis of revolution.

4. The apparatus described in claim 3 wherein said roller bearings areformed from a self-lubricating shockabsorbing material so that theroller bearings have the additional function of insulating the saidmotive means from accidental shocks and blows.

5. The apparatus described in claim 4 wherein said roller bearingscomprise three uniformly and angularly spaced nylon wheels secured tosaid platform.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS732,341 Devine June 30, 1903 2,469,884 Masone May 10, 1949 2,793,010Menken May 21,1957

